Ormskirk RUFC

Sunday 20th April 2008

Ormskirk Ladies travelled to Vale of Lune 10s tournament on Sunday, and didn’t let the cold and rain spoil their ambition on the pitch to keep the ball the moving.  All the players put in their all, despite several niggling injuries throughout the day, that saw several players appearing in positions that they were wholly unprepared for.  Special mentions go to Lou Prescott for playing front row (again); Lotte Doyle and Claire Rylance for appearing in the front and second row in moments of need; and, Jenny Leitch for saving the day in the last game when injured.  Player of the day however, was sleepy Helen Williams.  Despite sleeping all the way to Lancaster, and between games, Helen played with immense energy and put in many of her trademark/insane tackles, before sleeping all the way back to Ormskirk.

Tale of day:

 
Newcastle Uni             Won                 10-0     (J Leitch, H Williams)
 

Short of kit (due to forgetfulness of skipper Emma Gander), the ladies turned up for their first game in various t-shirts and sweaters of various colours.  This didn’t hinder them in a fast, well fought game against the travelling university team.

 

Vale of Lune                Lost                 0 – 45
 

Now with the kit, the ladies fought hard against the eventual Cup winners and hosts Vale of Lune.  Vale’s fitness, experience and mobility showed; but Ormskirk fought hard and prevented several certain tries and ever so nearly scored.

 

Colne & Nelson           Won                 20-0     (A O’Malley, H Williams, C Rylance(2))
 

After a short break (and a sleep for Helen), the ladies played against Colne & Nelson and quickly scored to set the tone of the match.  The backs found plenty of space to run and scored all 4 tries.

 

Altrincham Kersal       Lost                 5-7       (A O’Malley)
 

A another break next, followed by a warm up in the rain, before the next game against Altrincham Kersal.  Ormskirk scored first when they finally took advantage of overlaps that were constantly appearing.  However, as the Altrincham team switched round at half time they were able to control the game better and finally released their lightning quick winger to score under the posts, which was duly converted.  Ormskirk were unable to respond in the dying moments of the game.

 

Plate Final
Carlisle                        Won                 15-5     (S Hunter, C Rylance, J Gaskell)
 

The table was consulted, and it was decided that the final first round game would be doubled up as the plate final.  This suited Ormskirk’s injury ridden side and they went on the pitch with the confidence that AK had beaten Carlisle.  Within moments Sammy Hunter was released up the wing, and looked bound to score; but a Carlisle player just made the tackle and the ball was lost, only to be hacked down field, chased, picked up and put down over Ormskirk’s line!  5 -0 to Carlisle.  Ormskirk came right back into the game and both wingers crossed before half time.  After half time both teams continued to battle, neither with the upper hand.  Then winger Claire Rylance had to leave the field after another crunching tackle ended her game.  Jenny Leitch forgot about her injury and ran onto the field, to put in a fantastic kick from the restart scrum, getting Ormskirk into Carlisle’s 22.  Ormskirk retained possession and passed the ball along the line, for prop Jane Gaskell to finish the scoring in the corner.  Final score 15-5 to Ormskirk.

 

Ormskirk Ladies are very proud to add to the club’s honours list for the season.

 

One final game is left for the Ladies against Vale of Lune: Sue Garnett Lancashire Cup Final on Monday 5^th May at Preston Grasshoppers.